Examining opportunities for green energy from the ocean

“Norway has Europe’s largest stocks of kelp; one estimate is 50 million tons. Kelp has extremely good growing conditions along Norways cold coastline. Global energy needs are expected to increase by 100 percent by 2050. The question is if kelp could be a source of sustainable bio-energy in the future? If so, Norway should be in a good position to act as host country for this industry," Lisbeth Berg-Hansen, Norwegian Minister of Fisheries and Coastal Affairs, said today when she opened the seminar “Kelp – green energy from the ocean”

“I want to  draw attention to and increase knowhow of how to better evaluate whether this is an area which merits further development. Norway should be particularly qualified in this field. We already have major expertise and technological resources within such areas as aquaculture and offshore industry,” says Berg-Hansen.

“Kelp is a key species in our marine ecosystem. Therefore I don't anticipate that we will harvest considerably more of our natural resources. This would mean  industrial cultivation of kelp for the production of bio-energy is the solution. The growth potential of  many species of kelp is extremely high compared with most land plants. Thus kelp is one of the most effective carbon capture species. This is extremely interesting from the sustainability and climate point of view,” says the Minister of Fisheries and Coastal Affairs.